Patrick Swayze’s lung infection clears

I feel so happy for American actor Patrick Swayze who has weathered a bout of pneumonia which required him to stay in the hospital. He says he is on his way to recovery and is determined to keep his health. A victim of metastatic pancreatic cancer, the brave actor hangs in a balance as he battles the effects of disease and treatment, the subject of a prime-time incisive emotionally-charged interview with Barbara Walters.

At 56 years old, Patrick has more to accomplish in the face of his illness. As the possibility of death hovers, his will to live remains high—something all of us should admire and derive inspiration from. From all over the world, Patrick has a lot of support and outpouring of love from those who care. His prognosis for a long survival isn’t good. As cancer wastes away his body, he stars in “The Beast,” an A&E television drama which starts in January 15, 2009.

Patrick’s situation isn’t unfamiliar. Having been treated with chemotherapy and having survived at least five (5) bouts of pneumonia, I can sympathize with what he has gone through. It is a tough position to be— especially if the pneumonia impairs breathing or if it augurs the advance of the tumor. I’m humbled to see him frankly share his lethal illness for the world to see.

Everyday is precious. Those fighting malignancies know. Being alive on borrowed time unencumbered by lung infection and unpestered by fear is a gift beyond what words can describe. (Photo Credit: Michael Muller/ AP )=0=

============================================================

Cancer races to be #1 disease killer in 2010

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that cancer will lord as the leading cause of death by 2010. The disclosure predicts that if trends continue, by 2030 new cancer diagnosis can reach 27 million, jacking up the number of sufferers to 75 million worldwide. A staggering 17 million of them are expected to die in that year surpassing the top killer: cardiac diseases.

It has been noted that cancer worldwide is on the rise, eclipsing the upward climb of infections and heart diseases. Countries like China, Russia, Indonesia, and India are known to have a huge smoking population. It is believed that tobacco-smoking in developing countries is the main reason for the increase in cancer cases, mostly in developing countries where at least 40% of smokers reside. Population growth and better disease recognition also add to fresh cancer diagnoses which are expected to reach 12 million this year.

PHILIPPINES IS SECOND IN THE MOST NUMBER OF SMOKERS AMONG ASEAN NATIONS
Country/%/# of Smokers in Millions
Indonesia———-46.16%———–58.07
Philippines———16.62%———–20.91
Vietnam————14.11%———–17.75
Burma————–8.73%————10.98
Thailand————7.74%————-9.74
Malaysia————2.90%——– —-3.65
Cambodia———-2.07%————–2.60
Singapore———-0.04%————–0.05
Others————-1.63%————–2.05
ASEAN Countries–Total————- 125.8
Source: Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) Philstar (09/04/07, Crisostomo, S)

“Cancer is one of the greatest untold health crises of the developing world…Few are aware that cancer already kills more people in poor countries than HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. And if current smoking trends continue, the problem will get significantly worse,” said Dr. Douglas Blayney, president-elect of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

“This is going to present an amazing problem at every level in every society worldwide,” added Peter Boyle, director of the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer. —Reuters (12/10/08)

The concern for the cancer problem is real. Though it is potentially preventable and treatable among the major life-threatening chronic diseases, malignancies are blamed for 1 in 8 deaths worldwide. With the rising cost of medical services and the sharp increase of those who need care, treatment for cancer will over-burden the healthcare services.

Many countries worldwide aren’t prepared. The medical infrastructures needed to manage cancer patients are lacking or virtually non-existent. Governments are therefore urged to embark on aggressive cancer prevention programs, grassroots anti-smoking and anti-cervical cancer campaigns among others, to combat the emerging top killer. (Photo Credits: Andreia; Laura la Fataliste)=0=

RELATED BLOG: “The Death Clock and the Dangers of Smoking” Posted by mesiamd at 10/22/2008; “Cancer races to be #1 disease killer in 2010” Posted by mesiamd at 12/11/08.

=======================================================

Cancer races to be #1 disease killer in 2010

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that cancer will lord as the leading cause of death by 2010. The disclosure predicts that if trends continue, by 2030 new cancer diagnosis can reach 27 million, jacking up the number of sufferers to 75 million worldwide. A staggering 17 million of them are expected to die in that year surpassing the top killer: cardiac diseases.

It has been noted that cancer worldwide is on the rise, eclipsing the upward climb of infections and heart diseases. Countries like China, Russia, Indonesia, and India are known to have a huge smoking population. It is believed that tobacco-smoking in developing countries is the main reason for the increase in cancer cases, mostly in developing countries where at least 40% of smokers reside. Population growth and better disease recognition also add to fresh cancer diagnoses which are expected to reach 12 million this year.

PHILIPPINES IS SECOND IN THE MOST NUMBER OF SMOKERS AMONG ASEAN NATIONS
Country/%/# of Smokers in Millions
Indonesia———-46.16%———–58.07
Philippines———16.62%———–20.91
Vietnam————14.11%———–17.75
Burma————–8.73%————10.98
Thailand————7.74%————-9.74
Malaysia————2.90%——– —-3.65
Cambodia———-2.07%————–2.60
Singapore———-0.04%————–0.05
Others————-1.63%————–2.05
ASEAN Countries–Total————- 125.8
Source: Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) Philstar (09/04/07, Crisostomo, S)

“Cancer is one of the greatest untold health crises of the developing world…Few are aware that cancer already kills more people in poor countries than HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. And if current smoking trends continue, the problem will get significantly worse,” said Dr. Douglas Blayney, president-elect of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

“This is going to present an amazing problem at every level in every society worldwide,” added Peter Boyle, director of the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer. —Reuters (12/10/08)

The concern for the cancer problem is real. Though it is potentially preventable and treatable among the major life-threatening chronic diseases, malignancies are blamed for 1 in 8 deaths worldwide. With the rising cost of medical services and the sharp increase of those who need care, treatment for cancer will over-burden the healthcare services.

Many countries worldwide aren’t prepared. The medical infrastructures needed to manage cancer patients are lacking or virtually non-existent. Governments are therefore urged to embark on aggressive cancer prevention programs, grassroots anti-smoking and anti-cervical cancer campaigns among others, to combat the emerging top killer. (Photo Credits: Andreia; Laura la Fataliste)=0=

RELATED BLOG: “The Death Clock and the Dangers of Smoking” Posted by mesiamd at 10/22/2008; “Cancer races to be #1 disease killer in 2010” Posted by mesiamd at 12/11/08.

=======================================================